Down To Earth

Raman kumar,Chandigarh

Chicku should be plucked when it gains the size that you normally find in the market. You can also test by scratching the skin a little. If it is yellowish below,then it is ready to be plucked.

I water my potted plants regularly but they wilt by the evening. What could be the reason?

Vanita,Chandigarh

The temperature nowadays is quite high for the plants to cope. While watering the plants,one should give three fills in one go at short intervals. Fill the pot three times,so that the lower part of the soil is also wet. You should,preferably,water in the evenings rather than in the morning hours.

The leaves of the chilli plants in my garden are curling. I find white insects flying around it. How do I correct the damage?

Madhu,Mohali

The insect that you have noticed is called the white fly. Use malathion,dissolved in 2ml to a litre of water.

Some of my lemon fruits are falling,and others of ping-pong size are splitting. What could be the reason?

Sawtantar Singh,Mohali

It is because of high temperature that fruits are falling and splitting. Frequent but light watering every three days is the answer. Any heavy watering followed by prolonged drought would lead to fruit drop or splitting.

For gardening queries ASK DR GREEN at satishnarula@pau.edu